Legal Age To Gamble - Legal Online Gambling Age
While the world of gambling both online and at land-based establishments remains murky and ambiguous in the eyes of a bunch of different federal and state legislation, there is one area that has been quite clear. The area of the legal gambling age across states in the U.S. is a facet of gambling in the country that is not flexible. The gambling age in the U.S. is decided at the state level, and bounces back and forth between 18 or 21 depending on which state you live in.
It's important to understand and be aware of the gambling age in your state, especially if you are thinking about gambling online. Just because a player does not walk into a land-based casino does not mean that they can legally gamble online. In fact, the age requirement in the state must be met, as well as the legal age requirement stipulated by the gambling site. Whether it is an online casino, sportsbook, or poker room, there will be a strict age requirement enforced.
Learn about gambling ages in the U.S. below, and get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the age to gamble online and in-person. GamblingForUSAPlayers.com is also going to provide an easy to read chart that has the minimum gambling age listed for all 50 states in the U.S. Enjoy!
What Is The Legal Age To Gamble In My State?
We eluded to this a bit in the introduction by stating that different states have different ages set down to gamble. So the easiest way to answer this question would be to tell you to consult your local government laws. Not all states have the same gambling age. But, there are similarities in the ages in the sense that state law will stipulate an age of 18 or 21 years old.
Some sites that you go to will also have the limits on states and ages as well, and will not allow a player to gamble if they do not meet the minimum requirements. Because of the fact that the large majority of sites that are legal to play for U.S. players are based offshore, they do not have to abide by the U.S. laws. However, they still have an age requirement on top of your state requirement. In most cases, the higher ages of the two must be met in order to gamble.
| State: | Age: |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 21+ yr |
| Alaska | 21+ yr |
| Arizona | 21+ yr |
| Arkansas | 21+ yr |
| California | 21+ yr |
| Colorado | 21+ yr |
| Connecitcut | 21+ yr |
| Delaware | 21+ yr |
| Florida | 21+ yr |
| Georgia | 21+ yr |
| Hawaii | 21+ yr |
| Idaho | 18+ yr |
| Illinois | 21+ yr |
| Indiana | 21+ yr |
| Iowa | 21+ yr |
| Kansas | 21+ yr |
| Kentucky | 21+ yr |
| Louisiana | 21+ yr |
| Maine | 21+ yr |
| Maryland | 21+ yr |
| Massachusetts | 21+ yr |
| Michigan | 21+ yr |
| Minnesota | 21+ yr |
| Mississippi | 21+ yr |
| Missouri | 21+ yr |
| Montana | 18+ yr |
| Nebraska | 21+ yr |
| Nevada | 21+ yr |
| New Hampshire | 21+ yr |
| New Jersey | 21+ yr |
| New Mexico | 21+ yr |
| New York | 21+ yr |
| North Carolina | 21+ yr |
| North Dakota | 21+ yr |
| Ohio | 21+ yr |
| Oklahoma | 18+ yr |
| Oregon | 21+ yr |
| Pennsylvania | 21+ yr |
| Rhode Island | 18+ yr |
| South Carolina | 21+ yr |
| South Dakota | 21+ yr |
| Tennessee | 21+ yr |
| Texas | 21+ yr |
| Utah | 21+ yr |
| Vermont | 21+ yr |
| Virginia | 21+ yr |
| Washington | 18+ yr |
| West Virginia | 21+ yr |
| Wisconsin | 18+ yr |
| Wyoming | 18+ yr |
Frequently Asked Questions About Gambling Age In The U.S.
Will I Get In Trouble For Gambling Underage?
Yes, if you are caught gambling underage at a casino on land or online, you will get into trouble. The consequences are unlikely to land you in jail, but players will be subject to potential fines, a loss of their account, plus the likely loss of any and all winnings that resulted in the underage gambling during your time with the account.
How Do I Find Out The Age Requirement For a Gambling Site?
Typically in the terms and conditions portion of the site, it will lay out the legal age for a player to gamble. It is not always in this section, but the site will have language based on the minimum age required to sign up for an account and place a bet. From there, you will see what the requirement is, and whether or not you meet it. But remember, if you live in the U.S. you must also meet your state's gambling age and not just the site's.
How Do I Find Out The Legal Gambling Age In My State?
Contacting your local government whether online or on the phone will give you the answer that you are looking for. They should be able to help you and tell you right away the legal gambling ages, as well as any other gambling laws within the state that you might be curious about. Once you are aware of your state's gambling age, you can then determine if you are of legal age to place a wager. If you are, then the next step would be to make sure you are of legal age to gamble at the site you are looking for.
